St Andrew

You will then need to navigate
back to this page using the County Index

The church as depicted in a postcard for sale in the church.

History
of the church

The nave is of the early Norman period, with
herringbone masonry on the lower part of the north wall very
evident internally. The font also is Norman, with a bowl of
about 3ft 10ins diameter made from conglomerate, a type of
shingle..

Projections on the south wall near the chancel
once supported the Rood screen.

The Tower is Georgian and was built in 1790.
It replaces one that stood further north.

The Chancel was rebuilt in the 15th century,
having been partially destroyed by soldiers of Owen Glyndwr in
1406, though the western end is original.

The altar table is Jacobean, and on its north side
is an effigy of a man of great stature, possibly Walter
Baskerville, Lord of the Manor, who died in 1369.

Behind the church is the tomb of the Rev'd Francis
Kilvert, the 19th century diarist.

GALLERY

The roof is Victorian and was erected in 1875-76.
At that time the west gallery was removed and the present organ
installed.

FRANCIS
KILVERT

Robert Francis Kilvert was born 3rd December 1840,
one of six children of Rev. Robert Kilvert, who was Rector of
Hardenhuish, near Chippenham, Wilts. He was educated
privately and attended Wadham College, Oxford.

He served initially as Curate to his father, but
in 1865 moved to Clyro, north of
Hay on Wye, where he stayed for seven years. After another spell
as Curate for his father from 1872 to 1876 he accepted the living
of St Harmon, nr, Rhayader, Powys, and became Vicar of Bredwardine
in 1877.

He married Elizabeth Anne Powland of Wootton,
Oxfordshire and returned to Bredwardine with his bride on 13th
September. Ten days later he died of peritonitis at the
early age of 38 years.

His tombstone carries the inscription "He
being dead yet speaketh". He is remembered for his
diary which covers the period 1870-1879, and which depicts the
life of a Victorian clergyman of the period.

On the east of the B4352 road from Hay on Wye to
Moccas and Hereford, turn down the road to Brobury,
which is opposite the Red Lion Hotel. A finger
post shows the way to the church down a small
lane on the right, about 50 yards down the road to
Brobury. The church appears to be open during
daylight hours.